Systems and methods for use in monitoring operation of a rotating device

ABSTRACT

A system for use in monitoring operation of a rotating device includes at least one first sensor that senses a position of a first component coupled to the rotating device, and at least one second sensor that senses a position of a second component coupled to the rotating device. A processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor calculates a first plurality of property values of the first component based on the first component position, and a second plurality of property values of the second component based on the second component position. The processor graphically presents a first display including at least one trace based on the first plurality of component property values, graphically presents a second display including at least one trace based on the second plurality of component property values, and synchronizes the trace in the first display with the trace in the second display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to monitoring systems and, more specifically, to systems and methods for use in monitoring operation of a rotating device.

Known machines may exhibit vibrations or other behavior during operation. Sensors may be used to measure such behavior and to determine, for example, an amount of vibration exhibited in a motor drive shaft, a rotational position or displacement of the motor drive shaft, and/or other suitable operational characteristics of a machine or motor. Often, the sensors are coupled to a monitoring system that includes a plurality of monitors and at least one processor. The monitoring system receives signals that are representative of measurements sensed from the sensors, and transmits those measurements to a diagnostic platform that displays the measurements in a form usable by a user.

However, at least some known diagnostic platforms may have limited space in which to display measurements received from sensors. Accordingly, at any one time, known diagnostic systems may only be able to display a subset of desired measurement data to a technician or a user. As such, the technician or user may not be able to easily and/or quickly diagnose operational faults and/or errors within a machine. Such difficulty and/or delay in diagnosing faults and/or errors may result in damage occurring to the machine and/or may undesirably result in the machine becoming unusable for a period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a system for use in monitoring operation of a rotating device is provided. The system includes at least one first sensor configured to sense a position of a first component, coupled to the rotating device, with respect to a predefined axis, and to generate a signal indicative of the position of the first component, and at least one second sensor configured to sense a position of a second component, coupled to the rotating device, with respect to the predefined axis, and to generate a signal indicative of the position of the second component. The system also includes a processor coupled to the at least one first sensor and to the at least one second sensor. The processor is programmed to calculate a first plurality of property values of the first component based at least in part on the first component position, and calculate a second plurality of property values of the second component based at least in part on the second component position. The processor is also programmed to graphically present a first display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the first plurality of component property values, graphically present a second display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the second plurality of component property values, and synchronize the at least one trace in the first display with the at least one trace in the second display.

In another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having computer executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein when executed by a processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to receive a first signal indicative of a sensed position of a first component of a rotating device with respect to a predefined axis and receive a second signal indicative of a sensed position of a second component of the rotating device with respect to the predefined axis. The processor is also caused to calculate a first plurality of property values of the first component based at least in part on the first component position, calculate a second plurality of property values of the second component based at least in part on the second component position, graphically present a first display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the first plurality of component property values, graphically present a second display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the second plurality of component property values, and synchronize the at least one trace in the first display with the at least one trace in the second display.

In yet another embodiment, a method of monitoring an operation of a rotating device including a first component and a second component is provided. The method includes receiving a first signal indicative of a sensed position of the first component with respect to a predefined axis, receiving a second signal indicative of a sensed position of the second component with respect to the predefined axis, calculating a first plurality of property values of the first component based at least in part on the first component position, and calculating a second plurality of property values of the second component based at least in part on the second component position. The method also includes graphically presenting a first display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the first plurality of component property values, graphically presenting a second display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the second plurality of component property values; and synchronizing the at least one trace in the first display with the at least one trace in the second display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary rotating device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of components of the rotating device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary monitoring system that may be used with the rotating device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a graphical view of exemplary displays that may be used with the monitoring system shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method that may be used in monitoring an operation of the rotating device shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary rotating device 100. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one of a plurality of components 102 used within rotating device 100. In the exemplary embodiment, rotating device 100 is a turbine engine system 100 that includes an intake section 104, a compressor section 106 coupled downstream from intake section 104, a combustor section 108 coupled downstream from compressor section 106, a turbine section 110 coupled downstream from combustor section 108, and an exhaust section 112. A rotor shaft assembly 114 is coupled to turbine section 110 and compressor section 106 and includes a drive shaft 116 that extends between turbine section 110 and compressor section 106 along a centerline axis 118. A plurality of support elements, such as a plurality of bearings 120, rotatably supports drive shaft 116. Combustor section 108 includes a plurality of combustors 122. Combustor section 108 is coupled to compressor section 106 such that each combustor 122 is in flow communication with compressor section 106.

A fuel assembly 124 is coupled to each combustor 122 to provide a flow of fuel to combustor 122. Turbine section 110 is rotatably coupled to compressor section 106 and to an electrical generator 126 via drive shaft 116. Compressor section 106 and turbine section 110 each include at least one rotor blade or compressor blade (not shown) that is coupled to rotor shaft assembly 114. Rotor shaft assembly 114 includes a rotor shaft 128 that is coupled to generator 126 and that imparts a power loading to generator 126 during operation of rotating device 100. Generator 126 is coupled to a power source, such as for example, an electric utility grid (not shown) for distributing electrical power to the utility grid. Alternatively, rotating device 100 may have other configurations and use other types of components. For example, rotating device 100 may be or may include at least one gas turbine engine, another type of turbine and/or machine, and/or another type of power generation equipment that enables rotating device 100 to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, a monitoring system 130 includes a computing device 132 and a plurality of sensors 134 coupled to computing device 132. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, sensors 134 are coupled to, or are positioned proximate to, a plurality of components 102 of rotating device 100, such as a plurality of segments 136 of drive shaft 116 and/or of rotor shaft 128. Alternatively or additionally, sensors 134 may be coupled to, or positioned proximate to, other components 102 such as, but not limited to, bearings 120.

Sensors 134, in the exemplary embodiment, include at least one horizontal vibration or proximity sensor 140, at least one vertical vibration or proximity sensor 142, and at least one rotation sensor 144 for each component 102. Alternatively, sensors 134 may include any other type and/or number of sensors that enables monitoring system 130 to function as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, at least one horizontal proximity sensor 140 is positioned in close proximity to each component 102 to detect a position and/or a proximity of each component 102 along a first axis, or X-axis 146, relative to sensor 140. At least one vertical proximity sensor 142 is positioned in close proximity to each component 102 to detect a position and/or a proximity of each component 102 along a second axis, or Y-axis 148, relative to sensor 142. While FIG. 2 illustrates X-axis 146 oriented along a horizontal axis, and Y-axis 148 oriented along a vertical axis with respect to each component 102, it should be recognized that X-axis 146 and/or Y-axis 148 may be oriented along any suitable axis of each component 102 to enable monitoring system 130 to function as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, X-axis 146 and Y-axis 148 are perpendicular to each other and each is perpendicular to centerline axis 118. Horizontal proximity sensors 140 and vertical proximity sensors 142 work in combination to detect the position of components 102 within a two-dimensional Cartesian reference plane 150, or X-Y plane 150, that is perpendicular to centerline axis 118. Horizontal proximity sensors 140 and vertical proximity sensors 142 transmit signals representative of the detected position of components 102 to computing device 132.

In the exemplary embodiment, sensors 144 detect a rotation of each component 102. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, rotation sensors 144 detect an indicia coupled to, or part of, an associated component 102 that may include, but is not limited to only including, a magnetic strip, a material that is different than a material of component 102, and/or a predefined mark or a notch (not shown) on each component 102 during each revolution of component 102, or during a predefined portion of a revolution of component 102, as the marks or notches rotate past sensors 144. In the exemplary embodiment, sensors 144 transmit signals representative of the detection of the marks or notches to computing device 132 to enable a rotational frequency of components 102 to be determined. In an alternative embodiment, a single rotation sensor 144 may be used to detect a rotation of one component 102 and/or of drive shaft 116. In such an embodiment, computing device 132 uses signals received from that rotation sensor 144 to determine and/or calculate a common or absolute phase reference for every other sensor 134 signal.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, monitoring system 130 monitors a plurality of components 102, such as a first component 152, a second component 154, and a third component 156. While three components 102 are illustrated in FIG. 2, the present invention may be used with any number of components 102 included in rotating device 100 and/or any number of components 102 may be monitored by monitoring system 130. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, first, second, and third components 152, 154, and 156 are segments 136 of drive shaft 116.

A horizontal proximity sensor 140, a vertical proximity sensor 142, and/or a rotation sensor 144 is coupled to, or is positioned proximate to, component 102. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, a first horizontal proximity sensor 158, a first vertical proximity sensor 160, and a first rotation sensor 162 are positioned proximate to first component 152, and a second horizontal proximity sensor 164, a second vertical proximity sensor 166, and a second rotation sensor 168 are positioned proximate to second component 154. Similarly, a third horizontal proximity sensor 170, a third vertical proximity sensor 172, and a third rotation sensor 174 are positioned proximate to third component 156. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, each sensor 134 is synchronously sampled such that computing device 132 receives measurements from each sensor 134 at substantially the same time to facilitate synchronizing a display of data received from each sensor 134.

During operation, intake section 104 channels air towards compressor section 106. Compressor section 106 compresses the inlet air to a higher pressure and temperature and discharges the compressed air towards combustor section 108. Fuel is channeled from fuel assembly 124 to each combustor 122 wherein the fuel is mixed with the compressed air and ignited in combustor section 108. Combustor section 108 channels combustion gases to turbine section 110 wherein gas stream thermal energy is converted to mechanical rotational energy to drive compressor section 106 and/or generator 126 via drive shaft 116. Exhaust gases exit turbine section 110 and flow through exhaust section 112 to ambient atmosphere.

Monitoring system 130 monitors at least one condition of rotating device 100 and/or components 102. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, horizontal proximity sensors 140 sense a position of components 102 along X-axis 146, and vertical proximity sensors 142 sense a position of components 102 along Y-axis 148. Rotation sensor 144 senses a rotation of components 102, and each sensor 134 transmits a respective measurement signal to computing device 132 for processing and/or display, as is described more fully below. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the sensed position of components 102 along X-axis 146 may be used to determine and/or display a movement or a vibration of each component 102 with respect to horizontal proximity sensors 140, and the sensed position of components 102 along Y-axis 148 may be used to determine and/or display a movement or a vibration of each component 102 with respect to vertical proximity sensors 142.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary monitoring system 130 that may be used with rotating device 100 (shown in FIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment, monitoring system 130 includes a computing device 132 that is coupled in communication with sensors 134. More specifically, monitoring system 130 includes horizontal proximity sensors 140, vertical proximity sensors 142, and rotation sensors 144 coupled to computing device 132.

In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132 includes a processor 200 that is coupled in communication with a memory device 202 for executing programmed instructions. In the exemplary embodiment, executable instructions are stored in memory device 202. Alternatively, executable instructions may be retrieved from another device via a computer network. In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132 is programmable to perform one or more operations described herein by programming processor 200. For example, processor 200 may be programmed by encoding an operation as one or more executable instructions and providing the executable instructions in memory device 202. Moreover, in one embodiment, processor 200 may include one or more processing units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration).

Processor 200 may include, but is not limited to only including, a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic circuit (PLC), and/or any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor.

In the exemplary embodiment, memory device 202 is one or more devices that enable information, such as executable instructions and/or other data, to be selectively stored and retrieved. Memory device 202 includes one or more computer readable media, such as, without limitation, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), a solid state disk, and/or a hard disk. Memory device 202 may be configured to store, without limitation, executable instructions and/or any other type of data suitable for use with the methods described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132 includes a presentation interface 204 that is coupled to processor 200. Presentation interface 204 is configured to output (e.g., display, print, and/or otherwise output) information, such as, but not limited to, a plurality of component property values and/or traces (not shown in FIG. 3) to a user 206. For example, presentation interface 204 may include a display adapter (not shown in FIG. 2) that is coupled to a display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, and/or an “electronic ink” display. In one embodiment, presentation interface 204 includes more than one display device.

Computing device 132, in the exemplary embodiment, includes an input interface 208 that receives input from user 206. For example, input interface 208 may receive a selection of a movement of a marker (not shown in FIG. 3) displayed by presentation interface 204, and/or may receive any other information suitable for use with the methods and systems described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, input interface 208 is coupled to processor 200 and may include, for example, a keyboard, a selector knob, a pointing device, a mouse, a stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, and/or an audio input interface. A single component, such as a touch screen, may function as both a display device of presentation interface 204 and as input interface 208.

In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132 also includes a sensor interface 210 that is coupled to sensors 134. Each sensor 134 transmits a signal corresponding to a detected condition of component 102, such as a detected position and/or rotational frequency of component 102. Each sensor 134 may transmit a signal continuously, periodically, or only once, and/or at any other signal timing that enables computing device 132 to function as described herein. Moreover, each sensor 134 may transmit a signal either in an analog form or in a digital form.

Computing device 132 includes a communication interface 212 coupled to processor 200. Communication interface 212 is coupled in communication with a remote device, such as a server, a computer, and/or another computing device 132. For example, communication interface 212 may include, without limitation, a wired network adapter, a wireless network adapter, and/or a mobile telecommunications adapter.

FIG. 4 is a graphical view of a plurality of exemplary displays 300 that may be generated by monitoring system 130 (shown in FIG. 1). More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each display 300 is graphically presented and/or generated by computing device 132 (shown in FIG. 1), e.g., via processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 (both shown in FIG. 3). Moreover, displays 300 may be updated by input (e.g., selections and/or entries) received via input interface 208 (shown in FIG. 3). In an alternative embodiment, one or more inputs are received via communication interface 212 (shown in FIG. 3). For example, a selection may be received via an input interface 208 of a remote computing device 132 and may be transmitted by a communication interface 212 of remote computing device 132. In another embodiment, at least one display 300 is graphically presented on a remote device, such as a personal data assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a tablet computer, and/or another device coupled to computing device 132, for example, via communication interface 212.

In the exemplary embodiment, monitoring system 130 receives signals representative of measured conditions of components 102 (shown in FIG. 2) from sensors 134 (shown in FIG. 1). Processor 200 calculates or determines a plurality of properties of each component 102 (shown in FIG. 1) (hereinafter referred to as “component properties”) monitored by monitoring system 130 based on the signals received. Moreover, processor 200 converts the signals into a plurality of values representative of component properties (hereinafter referred to as “component property values”) and/or other conditions of each component 102 and/or rotating device 100, and stores the values in memory device 202. In the exemplary embodiment, component properties and/or component property values may include, but are not limited to only including, a vibration amplitude along X-axis 146, a vibration amplitude along Y-axis 148, a vibration amplitude within X-Y plane 150, a rotational speed or frequency of each component 102, a phase of each component 102, and/or any other property or condition of each component 102 that enables monitoring system 130 to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 transmits at least a portion or subset of the component property values to presentation interface 204, and presentation interface 204 generates displays 300 for use in graphically presenting the component property values to user 206 (shown in FIG. 3). In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays the component property values substantially in real-time via displays 300. As used herein, the term “real-time” refers to receiving and/or displaying data substantially immediately after the data has been generated, disregarding a time required to transmit and/or process the data. Alternatively, processor 200 may retrieve the component property values from memory device 202 and processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 may display the component property values at a time after the values have been generated and/or stored.

In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays a plurality of traces 302, such as a plurality of time-based waveforms and a plurality of orbit plots, on each display 300. As described more fully below, the time-based waveforms graphically illustrate direct and/or filtered values of at least one component property, such as an amplitude of vibration along an axis, with respect to time. The orbit plots graphically illustrate direct and/or filtered values of at least one component property, such as an amplitude or a shape of vibration with respect to a plane and with respect to a period of revolution of each component 102. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the time-based waveforms include at least one X-axis direct waveform 304, at least one X-axis filtered waveform 306, at least one Y-axis direct waveform 308, and at least one Y-axis filtered waveform 310. The orbit plots include at least one direct orbit plot 312 and at least one filtered orbit plot 314. Alternatively, traces 302 may include any other time-based waveform and/or orbit plot that enables monitoring system 130 to function as described herein. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, each trace 302 is synchronized with each other trace 302. As used herein, the term “synchronize” refers to a display of a marker 316 or another location indicator on each trace 302 such that a change of a location of marker 316 on one trace 302 is automatically reflected in a similar change of a location of marker 316 on each other trace 302. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, a change of a location of a marker 316 within a trace 302 in one display 300 is automatically reflected in a change of a location of a marker 316 within a trace 302 in each other display 300.

More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of displays 300, such as a first display 318, a second display 320, and a third display 322, are graphically presented to user 206 via processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204. Alternatively, any number of displays 300 that enables monitoring system 130 to function as described herein may be graphically presented to user 206. In the exemplary embodiment, first display 318 graphically presents a plurality of component property values of first component 152 via a plurality of traces 302, second display 320 graphically presents a plurality of component property values of second component 154 via a plurality of traces 302, and third display 322 graphically presents a plurality of component property values of third component 156 via a plurality of traces 302. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, each of first display 318, second display 320, and third display 322 includes at least one time-based waveform, including at least one X-axis direct waveform 304, at least one X-axis filtered waveform 306, at least one Y-axis direct waveform 308, at least one Y-axis filtered waveform 310, for a respective component 102. Each of first display 318, second display 320, and third display 322 also includes at least one orbit plot, including at least one direct orbit plot 312 and at least one filtered orbit plot 314, for a respective component 102.

X-axis direct waveforms 304 and X-axis filtered waveforms 306, in the exemplary embodiment, illustrate the position of components 102 along X-axis 146 over time. The position of components 102 along X-axis 146 corresponds to a vibration amplitude of each component 102 along X-axis 146. More specifically, X-axis direct waveforms 304 illustrate an unfiltered amplitude of vibration of each component 102 over time. The vibration amplitude is calculated by processor 200 from the proximity measurement data received from sensors 134, such as horizontal proximity sensors 140 (shown in FIG. 2).

In the exemplary embodiment, X-axis filtered waveforms 306 illustrate a filtered amplitude of vibration of each component 102 over time. The filtered vibration amplitude is calculated by processor 200 from the proximity measurement data received from sensors 134, such as horizontal proximity sensors 140, after the data has been processed by a filter (not shown). The filter may be a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, and/or a bandpass filter with a center frequency about, for example, a rotational frequency of component 102, drive shaft 116, and/or of rotating device 100. Alternatively, the filter may be any other filter that enables monitoring system 130 and/or displays 300 to function as described herein. As such, in the exemplary embodiment, the filter removes undesired frequency components from the signals received from sensors 134 such that the amplitude of the vibration of each component 102 may be isolated and/or may be more easily viewed.

In a similar manner, Y-axis direct waveforms 308 and Y-axis filtered waveforms 310, in the exemplary embodiment, illustrate the position of components 102 along Y-axis 148 over time. The position of each component 102 along Y-axis 148 corresponds to a vibration amplitude of component 102 along Y-axis 148. Y-axis direct waveforms 308 and Y-axis filtered waveforms 310 are calculated and/or generated by processor 200 using data received from sensors 134, such as vertical proximity sensors 142 (shown in FIG. 2). In other respects, Y-axis direct waveforms 308 and Y-axis filtered waveforms 310 are generated as described above with respect to X-axis direct waveforms 304 and X-axis filtered waveforms 306.

In the exemplary embodiment, direct orbit plots 312 and filtered orbit plots 314 illustrate the position and/or the vibration of components 102 within X-Y plane 150 (shown in FIG. 2) over time. More specifically, direct orbit plots 312 illustrate an unfiltered vibration amplitude and/or position of each component 102 over time with respect to X-Y plane 150. The vibration amplitude and/or position of each component 102 within X-Y plane 150 is calculated by processor 200 from the proximity measurement data received from a plurality of sensors 134, such as horizontal proximity sensors 140 and vertical proximity sensors 142. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, filtered orbit plots 314 illustrate a filtered vibration amplitude and/or position of components 102 over time with respect to X-Y plane 150. The filtered vibration amplitude and/or position of each component 102 within X-Y plane 150 is calculated by processor 200 from the filtered proximity measurement data received, for example, from horizontal proximity sensors 140 and vertical proximity sensors 142, as described above with respect to X-axis filtered waveforms 306 and Y-axis filtered waveforms 310. Direct orbit plots 312 and/or filtered orbit plots 314 also illustrate a profile or shape 326 of vibration within X-Y plane 150 and/or a direction 328 of vibration of each component 102 as each marker 316 is moved along plots 312 and/or 314. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, direct orbit plots 312 and/or filtered orbit plots 314 are oriented within displays 300 to correspond to a reference plane (i.e., X-Y plane 150) of each component 102 such that the amplitude, shape 318, and/or direction 320 of vibration illustrated in each direct orbit plot 312 and/or each filtered orbit plot 314 correspond to an amplitude, shape, and/or direction of vibration (not shown) of an associated component 102.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, each trace 302 includes at least one phase or rotation indicator 324 that visually or graphically identifies each instance in time that component 102 has completed a revolution. Phase indicators 324 correspond to data received from rotation sensors 144 (shown in FIG. 2). More specifically, processor 200 calculates or determines a location of phase indicators 324 on each trace 302 within first display 318 by correlating data received from first rotation sensor 162 with data received from at least one other sensor 134, such as first horizontal proximity sensor 158 and/or first vertical proximity sensor 160. In a similar manner, processor 200 calculates or determines a location of phase indicators 324 on each trace 302 within second display 320 by correlating data received from second rotation sensor 168 with data received from at least one other sensor 134, such as second horizontal proximity sensor 164 and/or second vertical proximity sensor 166. Moreover, processor 200 calculates or determines a location of phase indicators 324 on each trace 302 within third display 322 by correlating data received from third rotation sensor 174 with data received from at least one other sensor 134, such as third horizontal proximity sensor 170 and/or third vertical proximity sensor 172. Phase indicators 324 provide an absolute phase reference, with respect to each revolution of each component 102, for each trace 302 within each display 300 and may be used to identify a relative phase difference between traces 302 within a display 300 and/or phase differences between traces 302 within different displays 300.

In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays other component property values and/or other values related to each component 102 and/or rotating device 100 on each display 300. Such values may include, but are not limited to only including, a rotational frequency and/or a rotational speed (in revolutions per minute or in another unit of measurement) of each component 102 and/or rotating device 100, the relative phase, the absolute phase, and/or the vibration amplitude and/or position of each component 102 at marker 316. More specifically, when each marker 316 is displayed or positioned at a location along each trace 302, processor 200 accesses memory device 202 to receive the component property value or values corresponding to the time value of each marker location. Processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays the component property value or values corresponding to the location of each marker 316 on displays 300.

During operation, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays a plurality of traces 302 to user 206 via displays 300, e.g., first display 318, second display 320, and third display 322. User 206, in the exemplary embodiment, may cause marker 316 to be displayed at a first location on at least one trace 302, for example, by manipulating a selector and/or a portion (neither shown) of input interface 208 to generate a first user input signal. In the exemplary embodiment, a marker 316 is displayed at a second location along at least one other trace 302 (or along each other each trace 302) within each other display 300 based on the first user input signal, and each marker 316 and/or location is synchronized with each other marker 316 and/or location. Each location along each trace 302 corresponds to a time value and a component property value at that time value.

For example, based on the first user input signal, a first marker 316 is positioned at a desired location on a first trace 302, such as X-axis direct waveform 304 of first display 318. Processor 200 displays the component property value or values corresponding to the location of marker 316 on first trace 302, for example, by retrieving the corresponding component property value or values from memory device 202. Processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 calculates a location to display additional markers 316 along each other trace 302 within first display 318 and/or along each trace 302 within second display 320 and third display 322 that corresponds to the same time value as the time value of first marker 316, and displays markers 316 at the calculated locations. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays the component property value or values corresponding to the location of each marker 316 on first display 318, second display 320, and third display 322. Accordingly, the display of markers 316 is synchronized between traces 302 in first display 318, second display 320, and third display 322 such that user 206 can identify component property values of a plurality of components 102 at the same time.

User 206 may also manipulate the selector and/or the portion of input interface 208 to cause marker 316 to be moved to a new location on at least one trace 302, such as at least one time-based waveform and/or at least one orbit plot of first display 318. Input interface 208 receives the user input and transmits a second user input signal representative of the user input to processor 200. In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 calculates an offset value based on the second user input signal received from input interface 208. The offset value, in the exemplary embodiment, represents an amount of time to move marker 316 along trace 302.

In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 calculates a new, or third location for marker 316 along trace 302 based on the offset value, and processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays marker 316 at the new location. For example, if user 206 manipulates input interface 208 to select an increment of 10 milliseconds (ms) for marker 316, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays marker 316 at a location along trace 302 that corresponds to the current time value of marker 316 plus 10 ms.

Processor 200, in the exemplary embodiment, calculates a fourth location for at least one other marker 316 (or for each other marker 316) along a respective trace 302 that corresponds to the new time value of first marker 316. In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 displays each other marker 316 at the calculated location along each trace 302 within first display 318, second display 320, and third display 322. Accordingly, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 synchronizes traces 302 and/or markers 316 with each other trace 302 and/or marker 316 within a display 300, and with each other trace 302 and/or marker 316 within each other display 300. As such, user 206 may move a first marker 316 to a new time location on a first trace 302 in first display 318, and each other marker 316 on each other trace 302 within first display 318, second display 320, and third display 322 is automatically updated to a new time location that corresponds to the new location of first marker 316.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 that may be used to monitor an operation of rotating device 100 (shown in FIG. 1) and/or components 102 (shown in FIG. 2). In the exemplary embodiment, method 400 is at least partially performed and/or executed by computing device 132 (shown in FIG. 1). For example, in the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of computer-executable instructions are embodied within a computer-readable medium, such as memory device 202 (shown in FIG. 3). The instructions, when executed by a processor, such as processor 200 (shown in FIG. 3), cause the processor to execute the steps of method 400 and/or to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, computing device 132 and/or processor 200 receives 402, from first horizontal proximity sensor 158 or from first vertical proximity sensor 160, a first signal that is indicative of a sensed position of first component 152 with respect to a first predefined axis, such as X-axis 146 or Y-axis 148 (each shown in FIG. 2). Moreover, computing device 132 and/or processor 200 receives 404, from second horizontal proximity sensor 164 or from second vertical proximity sensor 166, a second signal that is indicative of a sensed position of second component 154 with respect to a predefined axis, such as X-axis 146 or Y-axis 148 (each shown in FIG. 2). A third signal that is indicative of a sensed rotation of first component 152 and/or second component 154 may also be received by computing device 132 and/or processor 200 from a rotation sensor 144, such as first rotation sensor 162 and/or second rotation sensor 168 (each shown in FIG. 2).

Processor 200, in the exemplary embodiment, calculates 406 a first plurality of property values of first component 152 based at least in part on the detected position of first component 152 and/or based on the detected rotation of first component 152. Moreover, processor 200 calculates 408 a second plurality of property values of second component 154 based at least in part on the detected position of second component 154 and/or the detected rotation of second component 154.

In the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 graphically presents, or displays 410, a first display 318 that includes at least one trace 302 (both shown in FIG. 4) indicative of a position of first component 152 along X-axis 146 and/or Y-axis 148, and/or within X-Y plane 150 to user 206 through presentation interface 204 (both shown in FIG. 3). In the exemplary embodiment, trace 302 is based on, or is generated from, at least a portion of the first plurality of component property values of first component 152. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 graphically presents 410, on first display 318, X-axis direct waveform 304 and/or X-axis filtered waveform 306 that are indicative of the position of first component 152 along X-axis 146, and/or graphically presents 410, on first display 318, Y-axis direct waveform 308 and/or Y-axis filtered waveform 310 (each shown in FIG. 4) that are indicative of the position of first component 152 along Y-axis 148.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 graphically presents, or displays 412, a second display 320 (shown in FIG. 4) including at least one trace 302 that is indicative of a position of second component 154 along X-axis 146 and/or Y-axis 148 and/or within X-Y plane 150 to user 206 through presentation interface 204. In the exemplary embodiment, trace 302 is based on, or is generated from, at least a portion of the second plurality of component property values of second component 154. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 200 and/or presentation interface 204 graphically presents 412, on second display 320, X-axis direct waveform 304 and/or X-axis filtered waveform 306 that are indicative of the position of second component 154 along X-axis 146, and/or graphically presents 412, on second display 320, Y-axis direct waveform 308 and/or Y-axis filtered waveform 310 that are indicative of the position of second component 154 along Y-axis 148.

Processor 200 synchronizes 414 at least one trace 302 present in first display 318 with at least one trace 302 present in second display 320. More specifically, processor 200 displays at least one marker 316 at a location along trace 302 in first display 318. Each location selected includes a time value and a component property value of first component 152, and based on that, processor 200 calculates or determines a location along trace 302 in second display 320 that corresponds to the time value of the location of trace 302 selected in first display 318. Processor 200 displays at least one marker 316 at the calculated or determined location along trace 302 in second display 320. It should be understood that method 400 may be expanded to monitor additional components 102 as desired, such as third component 156, by including similar steps as described above with respect to first component 152 and second component 154.

An exemplary technical effect of the methods, systems, and apparatus described herein includes at least one of (a) receiving a first signal indicative of a sensed position of a first component of a rotating device with respect to a predefined axis; (b) receiving a second signal indicative of a sensed position of a second component of a rotating device with respect to a predefined axis; (c) calculating a first plurality of property values of a first component based at least in part on the first component position; (d) calculating a second plurality of property values of a second component based at least in part on the second component position; (e) graphically presenting a first display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of a first plurality of component property values; (f) graphically presenting a second display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of a second plurality of component property values; and (g) synchronizing at least one trace in a first display with at least one trace in a second display.

As described herein, a monitoring system is provided that includes a plurality of sensors that sense or detect a position of a plurality of components of a rotating device. The sensors transmit measurement signals to a computing device that calculates a plurality of component property values from the signals. The computing device includes a processor and a presentation interface that display component property values of each component to a user via a plurality of associated displays. The component property values are displayed in a plurality of time-based waveforms and a plurality of orbit plots via displays. The processor synchronizes the waveforms and plots such that markers displayed on each waveform and on each plot within each respective display are positioned at the same location in time relative to all displays. If a user causes one marker to be moved to a new location along a waveform or a plot, the processor automatically causes each other marker to be moved to a corresponding location along each other waveform and/or plot within each display such that each marker in each respective display is positioned at the same location in time relative to all other displays. Accordingly, a user and/or a technician may quickly view a plurality of synchronized component values, waveforms, and/or plots for a plurality of components of a rotating device to facilitate determining an operating condition of the components and/or rotating device.

The methods and systems described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. For example, components of each system and/or steps of each method may be used and/or practiced independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. In addition, each component and/or step may also be used and/or practiced with other systems, apparatus, and methods.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for use in monitoring operation of a rotating device, the system comprising: at least one first sensor configured to sense a position of a first component, coupled to the rotating device, with respect to a predefined axis, and to generate a signal indicative of the position of the first component; at least one second sensor configured to sense a position of a second component, coupled to the rotating device, with respect to the predefined axis, and to generate a signal indicative of the position of the second component; and a processor coupled to the at least one first sensor and to the at least one second sensor, the processor programmed to: calculate a first plurality of property values of the first component based at least in part on the first component position; calculate a second plurality of property values of the second component based at least in part on the second component position; graphically present a first display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the first plurality of component property values; graphically present a second display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the second plurality of component property values; and synchronize the at least one trace in the first display with the at least one trace in the second display.
 2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the processor is programmed to graphically present the at least one trace in the first display by graphically presenting at least one time-based waveform that is indicative of the position of the first component along the predefined axis, and at least one orbit plot that is indicative of a position of the first component within a predefined plane.
 3. The system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the processor is further programmed to synchronize the at least one time-based waveform and the at least one orbit plot in the first display with the at least one trace in the second display.
 4. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an input interface configured to receive a user input and to generate a signal indicative of the user input, the processor is further programmed to graphically present a first marker on the at least one trace in the first display and graphically present a second marker on the at least one trace in the second display in response to the user input signal.
 5. The system in accordance with claim 4, wherein, in response to a second user input, the processor is programmed to move the first marker along the at least one trace in the first display and to move the second marker along the at least one trace in the second display synchronously with respect to the first marker.
 6. The system in accordance with claim 4, wherein, in response to the user input, the processor calculates a location for the first marker to be displayed on the at least one trace in the first display.
 7. The system in accordance with claim 6, wherein, in response to the user input, the processor calculates a location for the second marker to be displayed on the at least trace in the second display, wherein the location for the second marker at least partially corresponds to the location for the first marker.
 8. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor comprises a first horizontal sensor configured to sense a position of the first component along a predefined X-axis and a first vertical sensor configured to sense a position of the first component along a predefined Y-axis.
 9. The system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the at least one second sensor comprises a second horizontal sensor configured to sense a position of the second component along the predefined X-axis and a second vertical sensor configured to sense a position of the first component along the predefined Y-axis.
 10. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one rotation sensor configured to sense a rotation of at least one of the first component and the second component.
 11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein when executed by a processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to: receive a first signal indicative of a sensed position of a first component of a rotating device with respect to a predefined axis; receive a second signal indicative of a sensed position of a second component of the rotating device with respect to the predefined axis; calculate a first plurality of property values of the first component based at least in part on the first component position; calculate a second plurality of property values of the second component based at least in part on the second component position; graphically present a first display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the first plurality of component property values; graphically present a second display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the second plurality of component property values; and synchronize the at least one trace in the first display with the at least one trace in the second display.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 11, wherein when executed by the processor, the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to graphically present the first display including the at least one trace, wherein the at least one trace in the first display includes at least one time-based waveform that is indicative of the position of the first component along the predefined axis, and at least one orbit plot that is indicative of a position of the first component within a predefined plane.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 12, wherein when executed by the processor, the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to synchronize the at least one time-based waveform and the at least one orbit plot in the first display with the at least one trace in the second display.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 11, wherein when executed by the processor, the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to: receive a user input signal; graphically present a first marker on the at least one trace in the first display in response to the user input signal; and graphically present a second marker on the at least one trace in the second display in response to the user input signal.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in accordance with claim 14, wherein when executed by the processor, the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to: graphically present the first marker at a first location along the at least one trace in the first display; and graphically present the second marker at a second location along the at least one trace in the second display, wherein the second location is synchronized with respect to the first location.
 16. A method of monitoring an operation of a rotating device including a first component and a second component, the method comprising: receiving a first signal indicative of a sensed position of the first component with respect to a predefined axis; receiving a second signal indicative of a sensed position of the second component with respect to the predefined axis; calculating a first plurality of property values of the first component based at least in part on the first component position; calculating a second plurality of property values of the second component based at least in part on the second component position; graphically presenting a first display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the first plurality of component property values; graphically presenting a second display including at least one trace based on at least a portion of the second plurality of component property values; and synchronizing the at least one trace in the first display with the at least one trace in the second display.
 17. The method in accordance with claim 16, wherein the graphically presenting a first display comprises graphically presenting a first display including at least one trace, wherein the at least one trace in the first display includes at least one time-based waveform that is indicative of the position of the first component along the predefined axis, and at least one orbit plot that is indicative of a position of the first component within a predefined plane.
 18. The method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising synchronizing the at least one time-based waveform and the at least one orbit plot with the at least one trace in the second display.
 19. The method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising: receiving a user input signal; graphically presenting a first marker on the at least one trace in the first display in response to the user input signal; and graphically presenting a second marker on the at least one trace in the second display in response to the user input signal.
 20. The method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising: graphically presenting the first marker at a first location along the at least one trace in the first display; and graphically presenting the second marker at a second location along the at least one trace in the second display, wherein the second location is synchronized with respect to the first location. 